Research Methods Geography

ISBN-13: 9781405107112 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 480 str.

Basil Gomez

Opis

This comprehensive textbook offers a conceptual and practical introduction to research methodology, data collection, and techniques used in both human and physical geography.

• Explores a full range of contemporary geographic techniques, including statistics, mathematical analysis, GIS, and remote sensing
• Unique in both content and organization, it brings together a team of internationally recognized specialists to create a balanced approach between physical geography, human geography, and research techniques
• Includes a series of foundational chapters offering multiple perspectives on the central questions in research methods
• Examines the conceptual frameworks and practical issues behind data acquisition and analysis, and how to interpret results
• Includes explanations of key terminology and exercises throughout

Recenzje

"On the other hand, as a desk reference for graduate students or even many faculty, such inconsistencies are less important – and in that capacity, Research Methods in Geography is a good and accessible resource for current practice in the discipline." (International Planning Studies, 2011)

Spis treści

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

List of Boxes.

List of Exercises.

Notes on Contributors.

Acknowledgments.

1 Introduction (John Paul Jones III and Basil Gomez).

Part I Theory and Methodology.

2 Theorizing Our World (Ian Graham Ronald Shaw, Deborah P. Dixon, and John Paul Jones III).

3 Observing Our World (Bruce L. Rhoads and David Wilson).

4 Measurement and Interpretation (Sent Visser and John Paul Jones III).

5 Operational Decisions (Andrew Herod and Kathleen C. Parker).

6 Sampling Our World (Ryan R. Jensen and J. Matthew Shumway).

Part II Collecting Data.

7 Physical Landscapes (Michael J. Crozier, Ulrike Hardenbicker, and Basil Gomez).

8 Climates (Julie A. Winkler).

9 Vegetation (Thomas W. Gillespie and Glen M. MacDonald).

10 Remote Sensing (Douglas A. Stow).

11 Secondary Data (Kevin St Martin and Marianna Pavlovskaya).

12 Social Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups (Anna J. Secor).

13 Ethnography and Participant Observation (Debbie Allsop, Hannah Allen, Helen Clare, Ian Cook, Hayley Raxter, Christina Upton, and Alice Williams).

14 Cultural Landscapes (Richard H. Schein).

15 Human–Environment Field Study (Paul F. Robbins).

Part III Representing and Analyzing.

16 Maps and Diagrams (Stephen P. Hanna).

17 Descriptive Statistics (Sent Visser and John Paul Jones III).

18 Explanatory Statistics (Sent Visser and John Paul Jones III).

19 Mathematical Analysis (Sandra Lach Arlinghaus).

20 Regional Analysis (Gordon F. Mulligan).

21 Modeling (Yvonne Martin and Stefania Bertazzon).

22 Geographic Information Systems (Michael F. Goodchild).

23 Analyzing Meaning (Deborah P. Dixon).

Part IV Obligations.

24 The Politics and Ethics of Research (David M. Smith).

25 Writing It Up (Dydia DeLyser).

Glossary.

Index.

O autorze

Basil Gomez is an Editor–in–Chief of the online journal Geography Compass. He has published widely across a number of journals.

John Paul Jones III is Professor of Geography and Director of the School of Geography and Development at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was the co–founder and co–director of the Committee on Social Theory at the University of Kentucky, where he taught from 1986 to 2003. He is co–editor of the journal Dialogues in Human Geography.

Blurb

This comprehensive text introduces the research methodologies found in both human and physical geography. Careful attention is given to the theories that underlie different types of research, to key issues in research methodology, to the collection of different types of data, and to a range of contemporary geographic techniques, both quantitative and qualitative. 

This indispensable volume starts with a broad–based grounding in the conceptual frameworks lying behind data acquisition and analysis. Foundational chapters co–authored by human and physical geographers also provide multiple perspectives on central questions in research methodology, while a series of central essays relating to methods and techniques focus on ways that students, as young researchers, can conceptualize objects of analysis, collect and analyze pertinent data, and interpret the results of their work. Key terminology and exercises are also included throughout.

Unique in both content and organization, Research Methods in Geography provides students with a solid conceptual and practical foundation in the basic principles and methodologies utilized in geography today.